It’s pretty common these days to have an X-ray, MRI or ultrasound when you’re experiencing pain.
But what happens when your scan comes back with a list of findings—and your physio or doctor tells you that many of them may not actually be causing your pain?
Let’s break that down.
Findings vs. Symptoms
First, here’s something surprising: lots of things we see on scans are also found in people who have no pain at all.
Recent research looking at pain-free people found:
- 62% had cartilage lesions in the knee
- 48% had meniscus tears—again, with no symptoms
- 87.6% had disc bulges in the neck
- Lumbar spine disc degeneration appeared in 37% of people in their 20s, rising to 96% by their 80s
- Even rotator cuff tears and bursitis were found in many people with pain-free shoulders
This means that just because something shows up on a scan doesn’t automatically mean it’s the cause of your pain. Sometimes it’s simply part of the normal aging process.
Think of it like this: as we age, we expect to see grey hair, wrinkles, or changes in our skin. We don’t panic when those appear. The same goes for the inside of our bodies—joints, discs, and tendons change over time, and often, they’re still working just fine.
So Why Am I In Pain?
Pain is a complex signal from the brain—like hunger or thirst—that tells us something might need attention. But it’s not always clear what that “something” is.
Pain can be influenced by:
- Stress and anxiety
- Poor sleep
- Hormonal or immune system changes
- Fatigue or overuse
- Sudden changes in activity or workload
- Previous experiences with pain
Sometimes the issue isn’t even in the structure that looks “abnormal” on the scan. Instead, it may be due to muscular tension, postural habits, or how the nervous system is interpreting input from the body.
Why Did I Even Have the Scan?
Scans are useful to rule out serious conditions—like fractures, infections, or inflammatory disorders. They’re often part of a thorough investigation, especially after trauma, or when symptoms don’t follow typical patterns.
But once serious issues are ruled out, many of the other findings on a scan (like “mild degeneration” or “tendinosis”) are not necessarily harmful. In fact, they’re often referred to as “normal age-related changes.”
We like to call these “green light” findings—your scan might show wear and tear, but nothing that stops you from moving forward with exercise, rehab, or normal activity.
So What Should I Do About These Scan Results?
In many cases: nothing!
You don’t need to “fix” every tendon, disc or joint that looks a bit different on a scan. The focus is instead on getting you back to moving well and feeling strong. This is done by:
- Gradually increasing your activity levels
- Building strength and endurance
- Improving flexibility and control
- Looking after sleep, nutrition and stress
Your body is adaptable. Even with some wear and tear, you can still improve your pain, function, and quality of life.
Need Help Interpreting Your Scan?
If you’ve had imaging done and aren’t sure what it means—or if you’ve been told your pain is “just due to aging”—come and have a chat with one of our experienced physiotherapists at The Corio Bay Sports Treatment Clinic Colac.
We’ll look at the whole picture and help guide you toward a plan that makes sense for your body, your goals, and your lifestyle.It’s pretty common these days to have an X-ray, MRI or ultrasound when you’re experiencing pain.